Martin Scorsese has opened up about his working relationship with The Wolf Of Wall Street star Leonardo DiCaprio.

The director shared the Cinema Vanguard Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival with his leading man and explained why they are such a good match.

Speaking on the red carpet before collecting the gong, the 71-year-old said: "His enthusiasm for the project but also for each day is what I love. These shoots are long hauls and I am 71 now, but getting up in the morning I see the actors, I see him and I know we are going to go, I know we are going to do it. There is no issue with pulling him out of his trailer, getting him off the phone, he is there so I have to be there."

The pair have already worked together on Gangs Of New York, Shutter Island, The Departed, The Aviator and the current Oscar-nominated movie based on the true story of stockbroker Jordan Belfort, but Martin admitted his recent box office success and his classic Goodfellas are the only ones he can watch.

"With Goodfellas there is something about the way it is structured, you watch one scene and it leads to another and another and suddenly you have been watching it for an hour. But I don't really watch my films though."

Titanic star Leonardo was greeted by hundreds of screaming fans as he arrived in Santa Barbara to collect his award. He has already received a nod for best actor for The Wolf Of Wall Street, while Martin is nominated for best director and the film is nominated for best picture.

Moneyball star Jonah Hill, who is nominated for best supporting actor for his role in the film, also made the journey to Santa Barbara to support his collaborators.

All Is Lost actor Robert Redford is the next screen star to be honoured at the festival.